NATO to discuss “Islamic State-free zone”

All 28 NATO countries are holding emergency talks to discuss a plan by the U.S. and Turkey to rout the Islamic State (IS) group from a strip of Syrian territory along the Turkish border
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Turkey: Has granted U.S. access to air bases and bombarded targets in Syria linked to IS

However, Turkey’s air strikes on Kurdish insurgent camps in Iraq are raising tensions with Kurdish militia forces fighting IS in northern Syria

Airbases opened to U.S.

Primary Emergency

Buffer zone: 100km stretch will provide air cover for Syrian rebels, bolstering Turkey’s security and providing possible safe haven for civilians

Malatya Suruc, Jul 20: Suspected IS suicide bomber kills 32

Batman  Diyarbakir

TURKEY Incirlik Idlib

Mediterranean Sea

SYRIA Hama Aleppo Homs Palmyra Raqqa Kobane Tal Abyad Al-Hasakah Deir
al-Zawr Damascus As-Suwayda Dera’a

LEBANON

ISRAEL

JORDAN

IRAQ River Euphrates Abu Kamal

Syria’s Kurdish militia – People’s Protection Unit (YPG) – is affiliated with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged decades-long insurgency in Turkey and maintains bases in northern Iraq

100km 60 miles
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AREAS OF CONTROL (Jun 19)

Syrian regime Islamic State group (IS) Kurdish (YPG) Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda affiliated) Other rebel groups Mixed
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Sources: Institute for the Study of War, Stratfor

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